-Regarding Imperials-

The Empire, or the Empire of Man as other races have come to call it, operates under the guidance of the Emperor whose seat is in the capital city of Amnith in the heart of the lands of Southrunn. Throughout the Ages the Empire has grown and shrunk its borders as the many wars, periods of famine, and devastating calamities dictated. During periods of expansion the Empire forged three notable boundaries that all answer to the high seat of the Emperor.

 

Southrunn, the southernmost boundary, is the most developed Imperial territory. They utilize the Imperial Legion, military garrisons, to ensure that the many dangers are kept in check, that villages are kept safe, that cities can manage trade in plenty, and that taxation, registration, and documentation are properly categorized.

 

In the borders of Midland, an expansion of the Empire, the citizens deal with more trade among other races and act as the liaison between the southern and northern territories. The population of Midland is comprised of hardy folk who manage the dangers of the world, but with trade between Southrunn, the dwarven kingdoms, the elven dominions, and resources from the northern colonies, Midland has become well developed and prosperous. Midland answers still to the Emperor, but the Kings of Midland rule their counties and cities with a more direct hand.

 

Across the sea to the north are the Northern Territories, a colonial portion of the Empire that has attempted to separate as much from Southrunn as they are able, although the supplies and trade from the rest of the Empire is necessary for expansion and exploration. Most of this region is filled with homesteaders and miners looking for new veins of resources that the wild lands of new development offer for more resourceful citizens.

 

Homeland: Humans of the Empire describe their homeland from the territories which they reside in. Those from the south, closest to the Emperor, are from Southrunn and only use the city they consider home when talking to others from Southrunn, although the unity among Imperials from this region don’t often bother with deeper rivalries outside of the noble houses.

 

Imperial citizens from Midland often associate themselves with the Three Kings of Midland, claiming to hail from the city of Armontrosia, Imitheon, or Tronia, even if they are from smaller towns and villages within the respective counties.

 

Citizens from the colonies of the Northern Territories don’t often regard themselves as Imperials with exception to the few larger cities that exist within the area. They claim that the wilderness is their home and may even describe their origins from noted landmarks or wide named regions. Other Imperials often refer to them as colonials which is often used as an insult. This stems from the stigma that considers the whole territory to be filled with rebel citizens and criminals. There are few exceptions to this belief, often the only respect offered is when a citizen benefits the Empire through discovered and traded resources.

 

Names: Imperial citizens only hold one name and will use their homeland to describe themselves as individuals, as often there will be multiple of the same name, especially if the name is popular at the time. Noble houses, or those who have earned importance in some manner to the Empire, receive an Imperial surname which they are allowed to pass down to further generations. The ownership of two names within all boundaries of the Empire conveys a higher status and may come with obligations or responsibilities to higher offices.

 

Religion: Imperial citizens often offer worship at the Church of Christiana whose sermons impart rules of conduct, lessons in life, and promote an atmosphere of goodness instead of retribution. Holidays are celebrated in accordance to Christiana and the double iron cross is often used by households to maintain the good nature among the Empire. Despite the diligence that many citizens commit to the church, many know that they will not be accepted to her paradise in Heaven without a perfect life. Worship and devotion assist in the idea of the High Tower, a resting place close to the grace of Heaven in the higher tiers of the Tower of the Dead which is kept by the God of Death, Dermolgmar.

 

The shrines of Aurora, which at times share space inside the churches of Christiana, accumulate followers to various sects of the religion. Most popular among the moon cults are the Aurorans, an order of paladins that operate throughout the lands of Nhearn to defeat evil, believing that good must triumph over evil in an active way which is oppositional at times to the views of Christiana.

 

Other cults are found around the Empire, the popularity of each one often dependent on the landscape of the region. Shrines to Anastasia, Goddess of the Water, appear near ports, altars of Katrina, Goddess of the Air, are erected near farmlands, offering daises are made near mines to Helena, Goddess of the Earth, and even Morgana, Goddess of the Fire, is recognized, although this is often to seek favor to avoid events of calamity. Vanessa is recognized among hunters, lumbermen, and those who dwell near the woodlands. Other gods are prayed to as well, though in small number and with some prejudice. Secretive cults do operate for the powers of evil within the Empire, and while there is no legal concern among the freedoms citizens may have, the citizens, especially the Aurorans, tend to seek out and uproot these cults zealously.

 

Age: Imperial citizens are considered adults among citizens after they complete their fifth year at an Imperial academy at fifteen. Humans in good health may live as long as one century.

 

Alignment: Citizens of the Empire most often practice the ideals of Christiana, though many understand that they will fall short of perfection. Imperials in all their borders commonly consider themselves aligned to goodness, and all true Imperials obey the laws.

 

Humans by their nature are varied however and members of the Empire are known to drift to lawlessness, self-fulfillment, and evil.

 

Size: Humans, especially among the Empire, stand between one height and up to one standard above that. Their weight varies greatly, but the Imperial Census considers a weight of ten stones to be average.